Introducting ISAFE (Simple Agreement for Future Equity)
SAFE (Simple Agreement for Future Equity) notes are a simpler alternative to convertible notes. They were created in 2013 by Y Combinator, a Silicon Valley accelerator, and allowed startups to structure seed investments without interest rates or maturity dates. SAFEs are short five-page documents. The valuation caps are the only negotiable details. “In India it is popular as iSAFE note”. To comply with applicable Indian law:
- iSAFE note takes the legal form of compulsorily convertible preference shares (CCPS) which is convertible on occurrence of specified events.
- An iSAFE note is not a debt instrument, a founder friendly convertible security note, that is beneficial for both startups and investors
- They are governed by sections 42, 62, and 55 of the Companies Act, 2013 read with Companies (Share Capital and Debentures) Rules, 2014 and Companies (Prospectus and Allotment of Securities) Rules, 2014.
- Issuing iSAFE notes does away with the valuation exercise since the valuation is essentially postponed to a later date (when the priced round happens).
- Fixed conversion at a fixed date where conversion is fixed at future date. (Mostly preferred)
- Valuation Cap, no Discount where an investor negotiates terms relating to valuation cap (Minimum & Maximum value) but no discount allowed.
- Discount, no Valuation Cap where investor can negotiate discount on valuation cap.
- Valuation Cap and Discount where investor can negotiate both valuation cap and discount.
- MFN (Most Favored Note), no Valuation Cap, no Discount: In case another SAFE note is issued, the company will have to tell the initial investor about it. In case the terms of the second SAFE are better for the investor as compared to the initial SAFE, then the investor can ask for the same terms. There will be no Valuation Cap and no Discount.
- CCPS holders usually get a right to exit in a Shareholders Agreement (SHA). iSAFE Notes can only be converted to equity on the occurrence of a liquidation event.
- CCPS holders may get a board seat. It is not common for iSAFE holders to have a board seat in the startup.
- When issuing CCPS, a third-party valuation is typically necessary. Issuing iSAFE Notes does not require a third-party valuation.
- No dilution occurs in the cap table until the occurrence of the priced round or an early conversion.
- The duration to conclude the deal is reduced by at least a few weeks, attributed to the time saved in drafting a SHA and the accompanying multiple iterations.
- If the event of liquidation, the iSAFE Note holders get a preference over the founders and other equity shareholders. They get a higher right to receive whatever money is left in the startup, helping them recover at least a part of their investment.
- Since iSAFE Notes are not classified as debt, no interest accrues on iSAFE Notes.
- An iSAFE note is a simple agreement. The startup will save significant money in engaging lawyers to draft detailed SHAs.